“FIA Raids Three Locations, Arrests Five in Major Hawala Operation”

November 7, 2024 – The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested five individuals involved in hawala hundi operations during raids conducted in three areas of the city. The FIA’s Corporate Crime Circle seized over Rs. 25 million in cash, along with other items related to illegal financial transactions.

The raids took place at Shaheed Millat Road, Garden West, and Sharafabad, where the accused were found to be involved in illegal money transfers and hawala operations. During the operation, the FIA recovered a significant amount of money and valuable items. In total, Rs. 25 million in cash was seized, along with prize bonds, checks, computers, mobile phones, and other relevant documents.

In the first operation, the FIA arrested Asif Ashraf, the owner of a travel agency, and a hawala dealer from Shaheed Millat Road. Following this, the FIA conducted additional raids in Garden West and Sharafabad. From these locations, the authorities seized Rs. 22.5 million in cash, prize bonds worth Rs. 61,000, laptops, computers, mobile phones, and records related to the hawala business.

The FIA also recovered 117 checks, ledgers, and registers, which were part of the illegal operations. The investigation revealed that the arrested individuals were using third-party transactions and benami companies to facilitate illegal money transfers.

This major operation is part of the FIA’s ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal financial networks and curb hawala activities in the country. The agency continues to investigate the suspects and their network.